Otunba Gbenga Daniel, Director General of the Atiku Presidential Campaign Organization (APCO), has revealed how ex-Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, emerged as Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate.
He spoke in a chat with the media on Sunday
Atiku polled 1532 to defeat his closest rival, Sokoto Governor, Aminu Tambuwal, who polled 693 votes.
Among others in the race were Sen. Bukola Saraki (317 votes), Gov. Ibrahim Dankwambo (111 votes), Sen. Rabiu Kwankwaso (158 votes) and Ahmed Makarfi (74 votes).
Speaking on how Atiku won the ticket, Daniel said most of the delegates believed the Wazirin Adamawa was the one who understands the country.
“All the PDP aspirants were qualified to win the ticket. I interacted with all of them”, the former Ogun governor said.
“The truth is that any candidate who emerged would do better than President Muhammadu Buhari.
“What Atiku has is his experience as a former VP, his experience as a successful businessman, his experience an employer of labour.
“He has fought battles. He has been maligned, all sorts have been said but nobody has been able to bring anything forward. They are jittery.
“Atiku won because of his exposure, his network, he’s the most cosmopolitan, he has friends and supporters all over the country.
“He is one person who understands Nigeria than anybody else and the delegates supported him based on this.
“I went round; I know what I heard and saw. I toured Nigeria twice. As PDP chairmanship aspirant and as DG of the Atiku campaign and the people believe in him.
“We need to unite Nigeria, grow the economy, solve unemployment, secure lives and property. Atiku will do all these and more when he becomes President. He will win in 2019.”
